Workout safety device

ABSTRACT

A portable safety device for use by fitness persons during a regimen involving the use of dumbbells. The device adapted to hold a dumbbell at the ready while the fitness person positions him or herself in the prone position on a weight bench to remove the dumbbell from the safety device in order to commence his or her fitness regimen, and wherein a cradle adapts to hold the dumbbell automatically moves to a dwell position away from the fitness person during his or her exercise.

The present invention relates generally to fitness workout devices andhas particular, although not exclusive, use as a safety device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

Whether a professional, or simply one who wishes to maintain a certainmuscle tone as part of his/her daily routine, it is common practice touse dead weights as part of a training regimen. A free weight, namelythe venerable dumbbell, is such a dead weight and is in extensive use ingymnasiums and homes worldwide.

Despite the obvious potential for accidents and injury, amateurs andprofessionals alike seem not to be able to avoid an inevitable strain,sprain bump, bruise and even break while doing curls and other dumbbellexercises. And it is not always the size or the pure weight in use bythe fitness person. Even smaller weights are capable of creatingconsiderable pain if misused, either by accident or on purpose.

In the case of dumbbells, for example, the strain which a dumbbell canplace on one's muscle structure, particularly in the area of the bicepand shoulder, is multiplied by the distance that dumbbell is situatedrelative to the human body. While dumbbells are often used in a sittingor standing position, they are also frequently used while the fitnessperson is prone on a weight bench, by way of example. Somehow, a personhas a sense of exaggerated well-being when his entire upper body issupported on a bench, and that sense of well-being can, and does,result, on occasion, in the fitness person overextending his strengthand capability, to his detriment.

Fatigue is yet another human element which can be the cause ofsubstantial injury and is one which is often overlooked. After doingseveral repetitions of a particular exercise, the muscles involved arefatigued, and, particularly when a weight bench is in use, the abilityof the fitness person to deposit dead weights in a safe manner can beimpaired.

All of this environmental background tends to lead one to a fullappreciation of the value of the safety device which is the presentinvention.

2. Overview of the Prior Art

The Ammoscato et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,397, provides a supportassembly for a dumbbell (there being one on either side of the bench),which swings away from the access position so that when the user hascompleted his exercise regimen and replaced the dumbbells in the supportsystem, they move laterally out of the way.

In Gedeon-Janvier, U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,400, a similar concept is in playwith the exception that the support system rotates in a vertical planeout of the way once the exercise regimen has been completed.

Similarly, in the Ellis device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,927, a weight bar 70is rotated out of the way once the exercise has been completed. In asimilar fashion, Murray et al., publication number 2007/008297, providesfor the rotation of either a weight bar or dumbbells vertically out ofreach and out of danger once the exercise regimen has been completed.The Murray et al. application was filed in April of 2007, more than fiveyears ago, and, since it has not issued, it is appropriate to assumethat it was found to be unpatentable by the Patent Office. It remains anexample of prior art.

Schoolfield U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,898, takes a slightly different approachin that the support system slides rearwardly out of the way rather thanrotating out of the way as do the previous patents. Strong U.S. Pat. No.7,435,198, is an independently structured dumbbell support system whichis on wheels and which is movable into and out of position for use. Itis, perhaps, the closest to the structure of the present invention, but,in our view, not a significant impediment to patentability.

Finally, the Santoro U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,723, is much the same as themore common weight lifting system found in most gyms. Referring to FIG.11, it permits dumbbells to be hoisted vertically and horizontally witha cable attached in hopes of preventing injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal feature of the present invention is the safety that itprovides to the user as he exercises with dumbbells while prone, orsitting, on a weight bench or the like.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a safety devicesuch as that set forth above which is also very convenient in use.Related to the foregoing, the present invention provides a device whichis not only safe and convenient, but portable and, thus, movable tostorage as required, or to various stations in the user's work out.

The device of the present invention is further distinguished by itssimplicity in structure and use, which also makes it cost effective to arank amateur all the way to a professional.

Combining all of the advantageous features enumerated herein, the safetydevice of the present invention is space efficient and is, therefore,usable in a confined area, as well as being readily stored when notneeded.

Further and additional features of the present invention will beperceived by those skilled in the art upon reading of the DetailedDescription of a Preferred Embodiment, in conjunction with the sheets ofdrawing, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of the safety device of thepresent invention, emphasizing its adjustability;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 while showing the positioning of adumbbell in the rack;

FIG. 3 is yet another view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating adumbbell positioned in the safety device on the right side of a weightbench;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the extension arm of the safetydevice with the position pin in place;

FIG. 5 is yet another partial sectional view, taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 1, with the extension arm in its vertical position, assumed oncethe dumbbell has been released from the cradle;

FIG. 6 is another partial sectional view in the manner of FIG. 5 takenalong line 6-6 of FIG. 2, but showing the extension arm at rest and atan angle, which provides the cradle position to hold the dumbbellessentially parallel to the surface upon which the safety device rests;

FIG. 7 is yet another partial sectional view looking toward the safetydevice from the weight bench and showing the axis of rotation of theextension arm; and,

FIG. 8 is a view of the safety device positioned to the right of theweight bench, which is sectioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and initially, to FIG. 1, a work outsafety device, or accessory, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, is shown at 15. The workout device 15 is selectivelypositionable adjacent a support stand, e.g., weight bench B. The workoutbench B is but one of several varying configurations, but basicallycomprises a horizontal padded bench 17 supported on a framework 19. Theframework 19 includes a foot 22 which is transverse to the longitudinalaxis of the bench 17 so as to provide lateral stability for the bench.

The safety device 15, in accordance with the invention, is portable andis individually positionable relative to the bench 17 in order that auser, e.g., in the prone position on the bench, can readily access thesafety device at the exact position necessary for the user to optimizethe safety features of the safety device.

As will soon become apparent, the portable workout safety device of thisinvention is particularly suited to providing a safe nestingrelationship for a dumbbell D. It is well known that when a user is inthe prone position on the workout bench B and wishes to use dumbbells aspart of this exercise regimen, there is an inherent risk that one orboth dumbbells will be inadvertently dropped. There is also a risk ofexcessive strain on certain muscles in the arm and shoulder of the user,all of which can be ameliorated by the use of the safety device 15 ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 in concert with FIG. 1, the safety device 15provides a cradle 26 having recesses, or slots, 28 for receipt of adumbbell D. The cradle 26 is supported at the top of an extensible arm31. The arm 31 is of tubular construction so as to receive a heightadjustable extension 33 therein, which is movable longitudinally up anddown as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cradle 26 is secured at the top ofthe extension 33 in any well known manner, and may even be integrallyformed with it. The cradle is positioned so as to be essentiallyhorizontal when the dumbbell is nested therein. A pin locking assembly35 fits in opening 37 to secure the extension within the arm 31 at thedesired height.

A significant feature of the workout safety device 15 is its ability toposition a dumbbell D at the precise location relative to the userpositioned on the bench be at the beginning of a desired exercise, andto swing out of the way, once the exercise is begun. In order toaccomplish this objective, the extension arm 31 is pivotable at 44 suchthat the lower portion thereof, 31L, is weighted as at 40, and when aweight D is removed from the cradle, the weighted lower end 31L willcause the extension arm 31 to move to the right, as seen in FIG. 6,causing the upper end 31U to move the empty cradle out of the way of theuser. Otherwise stated, by lifting the dumbbell out of the cradle 26,the arm 31 automatically, and quickly, retracts from its addressposition in order that the cradle not interfere with the user'sexercise.

Further in accordance with the invention, the extensible arm 31 ispivotally mounted in a base member 39. More particularly, the basemember 39 is a U-shaped member and broader at the lower surface tooptimize stability. A pivot pin 44 passes through the extension armsecuring it near the top of the base member 39. The pivot pin permitslimited rotation through a small arc about the pin 44.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the safety device is at its at restposition, the extensible arm 31 is at an acute angle relative to thebench B. As previously noted, the cradle 26 is formed in such a manneras to permit the slots 28 which hold the dumbbell D to be essentiallyhorizontal when the safety device is at rest. A pin assembly 42 holdsthe extensible arm 31 in its at rest position when not in use. It willbe noted that both the pins 42 and 35 are tethered in order to preventthem from being lost or misplaced while keeping them readily at hand. Itwill also be observed that the base member 39 is releasably secured tothe foot 22 of the bench by means of an “L” shaped cleat 46 to enhancethe stability thereof.

Once the user establishes his position on the bench and removes thedumbbell from the cradle 26, the device of the present inventionimmediately moves from its at rest, or delivery position, where thesafety device 15 moves the dumbbell in position [FIG. 2] to be picked upby the user, having assumed his/her position on the weight bench, to adwell position [FIGS. 2, 5] where the extensible arm 31 is out of theway of the user.

When the dumbbell is in the cradle, the extensible arm 31 is top heavyand easily rests in the delivery position. When the dumbbell is removed,the weighted lower end 31L automatically wings the upper end 31U clearof the user's body.

It will be appreciated that while the invention has been described withrespect to a single portable safety device, two such devices, one oneither side of the bench, will enhance any workout regimen. Portabilitymakes the move possible.

The present invention has been described with respect to a preferredembodiment. It is understood that those skilled in the art, having readthe detailed description and accompanying drawings, will think ofmodifications which may be made to the structure as described. However,it will be appreciated that all such modifications to any part of thestructure are within the contemplation of the invention, as described inthe accompanying claims, wherein:

1. A portable safety device for use with a free weight by fitnessenthusiasts for use in concert with a support stand; an extensible arm,said extensible arm mounted in said support stand, said extensible armbeing rotatable in said support stand; a cradle, said cradle beingmounted to said extensible arm at the upper end thereof; said extensiblearm being rotated between a delivery position and a dwell position, saidfree weight being supported by said cradle when said extensible arm isin its at rest position where the user can easily remove said weightfrom said cradle; said cradle automatically movable to said dwellposition, clear of the user, once said free weight is removed from saidcradle.
 2. The portable safety device of claim 1, wherein saidextensible arm includes an extension, said extension movable along thelongitudinal axis of said extensible arm to position said free weightrelative to the support stand.
 3. The portable safety device of claim 1,wherein said support stand includes a base member, said extensible armbeing pivotally mounted to said base member, said extensible arm beingmovable through an arc between a delivery position and a dwell position.4. A pair of portable safety devices for use with a free weight byfitness enthusiasts for use in concert with a support stand, each suchportable safety device having; one said portable safety device locatedon either side of the support stand; a cradle, said cradle being mountedto said extensible arm at the upper end thereof; said extensible armbeing rotated between a delivery position and a dwell position, saidfree weight being supported by said cradle when said extensible arm isin its at rest position where the user can easily remove said weightfrom said cradle; said cradle automatically movable to said dwellposition, clear of the user, once said free weight is removed from saidcradle.
 5. The portable safety devices of claim 4, wherein saidextensible arm is pinned against movement when said portable safetydevice is not in use.
 6. The portable safety device of claim 1, whereinsaid support stand is releasably connected to a support stand.
 7. Thepair of portable safety devices of claim 4, wherein said extensible armincludes an extension, said extension movable along the longitudinalaxis of said extensible arm to position said free weight relative to thesupport stand.
 8. The pair of portable safety devices of claim 4,wherein said support stand includes a base member, said extensible armbeing pivotally mounted to said base member, said extensible arm beingmovable through an arc between a delivery position and a dwell position.9. The pair of portable safety devices of claim 4, wherein said supportstand is releasably connected to a support stand.